Hilton is ‘EventReady’

As people gather again to rev up business amid the pandemic, Hilton Manila is now prepared to safely host meetings and events through Hilton EventReady with CleanStay.

“We’ve had an interesting 12 months,” said Simon McGrath, general manager of Hilton Manila, during the EventReady launch on Feb. 10. “Catering to thousands of returning Filipinos over probably six months, in November, we … moved the hotel to a staycation status, which has allowed us to restart the meeting side of the business.”

Hilton EventReady creates experiences that are clean, flexible, safe and socially responsible.

Industry leading standards

EventReady is an outgrowth of CleanStay, Hilton’s industry leading standards for cleaning and disinfecting suites and common spaces. The latest offering aims to capture the pent-up demand for business meetings.

Before the socially distanced launch began, McGrath demonstrated some aspects of EventReady. He pointed to the CleanStay sticker on the entrance door, a sign that our venue underwent intense sanitation and had not been entered after. He also noted the sanitation table with a touchless dispenser and cleaning wipes by Lysol, a product of RB, the company that helped Hilton develop CleanStay.

“Hilton has globally been aware that this market has to start again and obviously with some fundamental changes to give customers and attendees peace of mind,” said McGrath. Adhering to current health protocols, rooms can take up 30 percent of their actual capacity at this time. Only 20 people, instead of 66, can occupy Ballroom 1. The cap for the press conference venue was 30 versus 106 pre-pandemic.

Three tenets

EventReady is an outgrowth of CleanStay, Hilton’s standards for disinfecting suites and common spaces.

Hilton EventReady with CleanStay creates “experiences that are clean, flexible, safe and socially responsible,” McGrath noted, identifying the program’s three tenets.

First, meeting rooms follow CleanStay standards. Cleaners are guided by a checklist that identifies 10 high-touch points, including tables, chairs, door pulls, stage items and audiovisual equipment. Some 30 minutes before a meeting, event planners can review and approve the spaces. Afterward, doors are sealed off. Hilton Manila also provides sanitizers in high-traffic areas, as well as special bins for PPE disposal.

The second tenet is flexibility. McGrath explained: “We work hand-in-hand with customers to align our objectives, including flexible pricing, space options and contract terms … [because] we understand that, for reasons beyond people’s control, meetings may not go ahead.”

Hilton Manila also provides a proprietary Hilton EventReady playbook, a well-curated resource on room layouts, hybrid event essentials, networking ideas and wellness activities for the new normal.

Safe and socially responsible solutions comprise the third tenet. Meeting setups are customized for various purposes and physical distancing. In food and beverages, McGrath promised the same topnotch quality “but in a format that … they are safe and secure.” For the launch, the kitchen went Japanese with miso soup, takwan maki, teriyaki salmon and soft cheesecake. All fare is served bento-style.

Hilton hospitality

Hilton continues adhering to its LightStay ethos in minimizing environmental impacts. It prioritizes reusable packaging. Cutleries are sealed in recyclable cardboard containers. Onsite, drinking water is UV-sanitized, tested and bottled in glass containers.

Of course, Hilton EventReady with CleanStay’s three tenets come with a fourth assurance: the signature Hilton hospitality. McGrath concluded: “The key phrase … is peace of mind. I think you’ll understand how we can tailor meetings to the needs of the customer whilst giving them peace of mind.”